The community supervision team supervises children who are on release from juvenile detention and pending court, those placed on deferred prosecution, children on court ordered probation or intensive supervision probation. In 2017 the total number of referrals to the department totaled 288 and the number of juveniles supervised was 151.

Currently, a Deputy Director, senior juvenile probation officers and five juvenile probation officers serve as Grayson County’s community supervision officers. With a combined total of over 76 years of experience, the JPO’s provide case plan services, supervise community service restitution, Parenting Wisely program, sex offender out-patient treatment program, victim’s impact panels, anger management psycho-educational program and substance abuse psycho-educational program. Along with their commitment to providing ongoing services, the community supervision team visit’s their assigned cases at school, home, work and other community related areas.

The JPO’s provide continuity of care for children placed outside of their homes in relative placements, group homes, treatment and secure level 5 facilities. Continued contact with the child and their families as well as collateral agencies assures successful reintegration into the community. Residential case plans, periodic placement visits and treatment team meetings for the child combined with linking families with existing social services helps continue assuring family involvement in the placement process. In 2017, the Grayson County Juvenile System placed 22 juveniles in either a secure or non-secure facility throughout the state of Texas.

Collection of fees for professional services, probation supervision, specialized programs, child placement support, restitution to victims as well as court ordered attorney fees decreases Grayson County’s financial burdens and provides victim’s some financial remuneration. A combined total of $32,205.00 was received by the department from parents and children as financial obligations.

Community service restitution (CSR) is ordered by the Courts to allow children to “pay back” their community for unlawful acts. CSR is also a way for children to develop a since of citizenship within their community. Traditionally CSR activities are work related. The community supervision team conducts work related activities such as: cleaning up football stadiums after home games, caring for areas around the juvenile services department or airport. However, CSR can be “paid” by attending educational workshops relating to peer pressure, job training, decision making and personal budgeting, providing canned foods to food banks, school supplies to needy children, attending school and making good grades during days of attendance and attending specialized programs aimed at assisting a child make good, informed life choices.

Juvenile Probation Officers have the responsibility of determining if detention of a child for alleged delinquent conduct is warranted. JPO’s determine if detention is warranted using risk factors that take into consideration the following:

Is the child likely to runaway from the jurisdiction of the court;

Is there a suitable parent/guardian to supervise the child;

Said child has no parent, guardian, custodian or other person able to return the child to the court when required;

Said child may be dangerous to himself or may threaten the safety of the public if released; or

Is the child currently under the supervision of the department and likely to commit another offense if released.

There are unfortunate times when a child does not follow their deferred agreement, probation order or are productive in their placement. The community supervision team becomes responsible for assuring that the community is protected and files a motion to revoke the child’s probation seeking placement out of the home or to the care, custody and control of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department-Institutional Care.